John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter and the Minister for attending to respond. This issue is the funding of local radio. Over the course of the last 20 years no other medium in this country has expanded as rapidly to the four corners of the island as local radio.

There are 34 or 35 local radio stations operating in the Republic of Ireland at present but their access to funding from the State is very limited, to say the least. The Sound & Vision scheme, which is funded from the licence fee, is approximately 7% of the total licence fee take. In that scheme very strict guidelines are imposed on the local media providers in terms of how that funding can be drawn down. These businesses have not been immune to the downturn in the economy over the last few years and many of them have experienced significant cutbacks in terms of their employment. They employ hundreds of people across the country. They have lobbied and been anxious for a period of time that the Government would honour its commitment in the programme for Government to undertake a review of the funding of broadcasting to ensure a viable sector for both independent and State-owned broadcasters.

The current provision under the Sound & Vision scheme is limited very much to programmes that can be provided primarily in the areas of history, culture and the Irish language. Indeed, most of the funding from that scheme is granted to the existing State-owned media outlets and a very small proportion of it ends up being utilised on local media outlets. In many parts of the country, not least in my own, local radio is by far the most listened to and most used form of media on a daily basis, and there is a need for the Government and the Minister to ensure that the sector remains viable into the future.

I hope the Minister will have some positive news in that regard. I will take the opportunity afterwards to respond to his comments.

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